Homework

 Italy
A. Social costumes and etiquettes
 Dining Etiquettes

 If an invitation says the dress is informal, wear stylish clothes that are still rather formal, i.e.,
jacket and tie for men and an elegant dress for women.
 Punctuality is not mandatory. You may arrive between 15 minutes late if invited to dinner and
up to 30 minutes late if invited to a party.
 If you are invited to a meal, bring gift-wrapped such as wine or chocolates.
 If you are invited for dinner and want to send flowers, have them delivered that day.

 Gift giving etiquettes

 Do not give chrysanthemums as they are used at funerals.

 Do not give red flowers as they indicate secrecy.
 Do not give yellow flowers as they indicate jealousy
 If you bring wine, make sure it is a good vintage. Quality, rather than quantity, is important.
 Do not wrap gifts in black, as is traditionally a mourning color.
 Do not wrap gifts in purple, as it is a symbol of bad luck.
 Gifts are usually opened when received.

 Greeting/meeting
 Greetings are enthusiastic yet rather formal.
 The usual handshake with direct eye contact and a smile suffices between strangers.
 Once a relationship develops, air-kissing on both cheeks, starting with the left is often added as
well as a pat on the back between men.
 Wait until invited to move to a first name basis.
 Italians are guided by first impressions, so it is important that you demonstrate propriety and
respect when greeting people, especially when meeting them for the first time.
 Many Italians use calling cards in social situations. These are slightly larger than traditional
business cards and include the person's name, address, title or academic honors, and their
telephone number.
 If you are staying in Italy for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to have calling cards
made. Never give your business card in lieu of a calling card in a social situation.

 Italian family values

 The family is the center of the social structure and provides a stabilizing influence for its
members.
 In the north, generally only the nuclear family lives together; while in the south, the extended
family often resides together in one house.
 The family provides both emotional and financial support to its members.
 B. Business or workplace practices
 Meetings
 Appointments are mandatory and should be made in writing (in Italian) 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
 Reconfirm the meeting by telephone or fax (again in Italian).
 Many companies are closed in August, and if they are open many Italians take vacations at this
time, so it is best not to try to schedule meetings then.
 In the north, punctuality is viewed as a virtue and your business associates will most likely be on
time.
 The goal of the initial meeting is to develop a sense of respect and trust with your Italian
business colleagues.
 Have all your printed material available in both English and Italian.
 Hire an interpreter if you are not fluent in Italian.

 What to wear
 Dressing well is a priority in Italy.
 Men should wear dark colored, conservative business suits.
 Women should wear either business suits or conservative dresses.
 Elegant accessories are equally important for men and women.

 In summary, Italian business culture may be quite different to what you’re used to.
This doesn’t mean that business in Italy is any less effective – the Italian commercial world is
incredibly competitive and effective.
As such, it’s important that you adapt to these cultural differences and apply yourself a little
differently to meet your outcomes.

 Greece
A. Social costumes and etiquettes
 Dining Etiquettes

If you are invited to a Greek home:

 Arriving 30 minutes late is considered punctual!
 Dress well. This demonstrates respect for your hosts.
 Offer to help the hostess with the preparation or clearing up after a meal is served. Your offer
may not be accepted, but it will be appreciated.
 Expect to be treated like royalty!
 Compliment the house.
 Gift giving etiquettes
 In general, Greeks exchange gifts with family and friends for name days (birth date of the saint
after whom they are named) and Christmas.
 Some Greeks celebrate birthdays, but in general, celebrating name days is more likely
 Gifts need not be expensive. Since gifts are generally reciprocated, giving something of great
value could put a burden on the recipient since they would feel obligated to give you something
of equivalent value.
 When invited to dinner at a Greek home, bring something small.
 A floral arrangement may be sent in advance of the actual event.
 Gifts should be wrapped.
 Gifts are usually opened when received.

 Gift giving etiquettes

 In general, Greeks exchange gifts with family and friends for name days (birth date of the saint
after whom they are named) and Christmas.
 Some Greeks celebrate birthdays, but in general, celebrating name days is more likely
 Gifts need not be expensive. Since gifts are generally reciprocated, giving something of great
value could put a burden on the recipient since they would feel obligated to give you something
of equivalent value.
 When invited to dinner at a Greek home, bring something small.
 A floral arrangement may be sent in advance of the actual event.
 Gifts should be wrapped.
 Gifts are usually opened when received.

 Greeting/meeting
 Greeks are warm and hospitable.
 When meeting someone for the first time, they shake hands firmly, smile, and maintain direct
eye contact.
 Good friends often embrace; they may also kiss each other on each cheek. Male friends often
slap each other's arm at the shoulder.

 Greek family values

 The family is the basis of the social structure.
 The family offers both financial and emotional support to its members.
 The extended family is expected to help relatives in times of need, even to the point of assisting
them to find employment.
 Family relationships carry over into business. Nepotism is accepted
 The wrongdoing of one family member brings dishonor to the entire family.

B. Business or workplace practices

 Meetings
  Appointments are necessary and should be made 1 to 2 weeks in advance, although it is often
possible to schedule them on short notice.
 Confirm meetings one day in advance by telephone.
 Many businesspeople eat lunch between 1 and 3 p.m., so this is not the optimal time for a
meeting.
 Quite often it is not until the third meeting that business is actually conducted. During the first
meeting your Greek business colleagues will want to get to know something about you as a
person. The second meeting is used to develop trust and mutual respect. By the third meeting,
business may begin.
 Have printed material available in both English and Greek.
 Meetings are often interrupted. Several people may speak at the same time.
 Greeks will deviate from agendas. They view agendas as starting points for discussions and will
then follow the discussion to the next logical place.
 Although some business, people speak English it is a good idea to hire an interpreter.

 What to wear
 Business dress is as in most of Europe.
 Men should wear dark colored, conservative business suits.
 Women should wear either business suits or tasteful dresses, preferably in dark or subtle colors

A. I learn a lot about the culture, etiquettes, and business practices of my two chosen countries.
when it comes to their values and religion, I realize that people in the world have different belief
and perspective and we should respect them.
B. These learning can help me to my future work in tourism and hospitality establishment for
example in airline industry as cabin crew I should know how to interact my passenger through
welcome or a greetings if I have an Italian or a Greek passenger I can used my knowledge from
this guide on how to greet them in a proper way.